One thing that I have been really struggling to understand lately is the idea of loving others unconditionally. Obviously, I know what that means, but what does it REALLY look like to love someone unconditionally? Everyone always says that 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is the love verse. So if God gives such a perfect description of what love should look like, then why is it so hard for us to love in such a way? Because we’re human…we naturally have all kinds of characteristics that aren’t very appealing.
I want to love people selflessly. In some relationships, whether platonic, romantic, or family, this seems almost impossible to me. Sometimes it seems that you can give of yourself constantly and do everything possible to show people love, and you get absolutely no response in return. God asks us to consistently give of ourselves, even when others treat us badly…at times I think “well how about not because that reaaaallly doesn’t sound like much fun to me, I’d rather not put myself in the position to become frustrated or hurt”. In the same train of thought though, what if Jesus had decided “well that cross looks pretty uncomfortable and those nails are really going to hurt, so I think I’ll just pass on the whole cross thing?” If God asks us to love everyone with patience and kindness, at what point is it ok to walk away from any kind of relationship? We are supposed to be the light of the world, the salt of the earth, so what if the people we try to love are dimming our light? As Christians, we should be examples of unconditional love, but when it comes down to it we’re not Jesus. Sometimes I get so frustrated with people’s lack of love or concern for others that I just really don’t want to like them, even though God puts it on my heart to show them grace, because He has shown me grace for my own faults and mistakes. We all have our own faults, many of which include impatience, selfishness, pride, and lots of others. I know that God puts everyone into our lives for a reason, but sometimes I just really can’t figure out why! Please pray for me that God would overflow me with His love so that I can continue to love others and fully comprehend unconditional love, even when I really don’t want to, and not of my own strength but by His.
